This book explores the important role of parents and the extended family in the lives of babies and young children. It complements and extends the DfES Birth to Three Matters framework, which supports practitioners in working with children aged birth to three, and builds on the information provided in the companion book "Birth to Three Matters: Supporting the Framework of Effective Practice" (Open University Press, 2004). Written by academics, practitioners and policymakers interested or involved in the development of the Birth to Three Matters framework, this book argues that parent engagement is essential for developing partnerships within communities in order to give children the best start in life, and shows how this can be achieved. Following a preface, this book is organized into three sections. Section 1, Families, includes: (1) Why Parents Matter (Ann Langston and Lesley Abbott); (2) Becoming a Family (Clare Crowther); (3) Grandparents Matter (Tricia David); and (4) Everyday Activities at Home: Meeting Our Developmental Needs with Our Young Children (Margaret Henry). Section 2, Professional Contexts, presents the next chapters: (5) "Don't You Tell Me What to Do" (Helen Moylett and Kim Holyman); (6) Parents and Child Protection Matter (John Powell); (7) Evaluating "Better Beginnings" A Family Literacy Program in Western Australia (Caroline Barratt-Pugh and Mary Rohl); (8) Health Matters to Families (Elizabeth Howard); (9) "Arty Farty Nonsense?" Negotiating Relationships within a Context of Creativity (Rachel Holmes); (10) Working with Families Who Have a Child with a Special Educational Need or Disability (Julie Jennings); and (11) "Observe More Do Less": A Description of RIE Parent-Infant Guidance Classes (Sue Owen and Stephanie Petrie). Section 3, Issues, includes: (12) Culture Matters: Promoting Inclusivity in Work with Diverse Communities (Ian Barron); (13) Involving Parents? (Iris Keating); (14) Young Parents Matter (John Powell and Alison Lockley); (15) Parents Matter to Children and Children Matter to Parents: Research Insights from Integrated Child and Family Services in Australia (Ann Farrell, Lee Tennent, Collette Tayler, and Carla Patterson); and (16) Looking at the Future (Lesley Abbott and Ann Langston). [For the companion book, "Birth to Three Matters: Supporting the Framework of Effective Practice," see ED493204.]